SB 212 Summary

• Eliminates peremptory challenges for prospective jurors in criminal cases, allowing only challenges for cause based on disqualification or bias.

• Retains peremptory challenges in civil cases with existing rules: six challenges per party, or eight per side if multiple parties, with allocation determined by the court.

• Repeals Section 231.7 provisions that authorized objections to improper use of peremptory challenges in criminal cases beginning January 1, 2022, and applies those provisions only to civil cases beginning January 1, 2026.

• Modifies alternate juror selection procedures in criminal cases (Penal Code Section 1089) to eliminate separate peremptory challenges for alternate jurors, conforming to the elimination of peremptory challenges in criminal trials.

• Updates gender pronouns and technical language in Code of Civil Procedure Sections 225, 226, and 234 to reflect the changes.